Jessica Moh: Simple Combinations

In this project, I chose to tackle the concept: “how many outfits can you make with a white shirt and denim jeans”. I chose this theme because everyday, I struggle with picking out an outfit, and end up eventually wearing a simple white top and jeans outfit.

I instructed all my models to only wear a white top and denim jeans to show that even such a simple outfit has so much diversity. For each model, I also decided to match their outfit to their personality because knowing each model personally, I knew how they would pose in each outfit. I chose to photograph my models in a studio because it was a controlled setting and all the attention would be put onto the model and the outfit. I did not want the lighting to be harsh but to look natural on the model.

As this was a fashion editorial, I wanted to solely focus on the fashion. A white shirt, whether a t-shirt or a button-down, is extremely versatile and can be worn for any occasion. Jeans on the other hand, are one of the most commonly worn clothing articles. I wanted to challenge myself to come up with ways to only work with two kinds of clothing items and to create as many outfits.

I think that a white shirt, depending on the style, can be very powerful. The color white is often associated with cleanliness and innocence. However, when it is paired with jeans or denim, a material that is made to look distressed and worn out, the white shirt is put into a different context. The contrast between something so simple and plain juxtaposed with ripped jeans shows how although two items that seem like they shouldn’t go together, work perfectly in unison. The simplicity of a white shirt contrasted against the holes and rips in jeans and denim give the outfit a composed yet effortless rugged and clean look.

If I could extend this project, I would challenge myself by only using a white button down and creating different outfits with that one shirt. I would end up manipulating or tying the shirt in different ways, breaking from the normal way of wearing a simple button down.